US President Donald Trump on Monday told Israeli lawmakers that it was time to move from war to peace in the Middle East, saying Israel had achieved what it could through force and should now focus on ending decades of conflict. “Israel, with our help, has won all that they can by force of arms,” Trump said in a speech to the Knesset, which greeted him with repeated standing ovations. “You’ve won. Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.” Trump said the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, though fragile, had opened a window to rebuild Gaza and start talks toward long-term stability. “After tremendous pain and hardship, now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down,” he said. He also reached out to Iran, which fought briefly with Israel earlier this year. “The hand of friendship and cooperation is always open,” Trump said. “We merely want to live in peace. We don’t want any looming threats over our heads.” Trump is on a short visit to the region before heading to Egypt for a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Gaza’s future. Leaders from more than 20 countries are expected to attend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, will not join him because of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Earlier on Monday, 20 hostages were released under an agreement that forms part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal. It also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a limited pullback of Israeli forces. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said people in the region were “tired of war” and that he believed the ceasefire would hold. “The war is over, OK?” he said. “I think people are tired of it.” President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. (AP) Trump said the US would help rebuild Gaza and that he hoped the area could one day recover from destruction. “I don’t know about the Riviera for a while,” he said, referring to earlier comments about redeveloping Gaza. “It’s blasted. This is like a demolition site. But I’d like to put my feet on it, at least.” The White House said Arab and Muslim countries were showing renewed interest in addressing the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict. About 200 US troops are part of an international team helping monitor the ceasefire and deliver aid. Gaza remains in ruins, with millions struggling to access food and shelter. Under the current deal, Israel has agreed to reopen five border crossings to allow essential supplies into the territory. As Trump put it in his speech to the Knesset: “Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change.”
